Dot sight with integral lens assembly

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a dot sight. The dot sight includes: (i) an integral lens assembly including a lens and a rim, the lens having a first surface and an opposing second surface; (ii) a base coupled to the lens assembly, the base having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; (iii) a light emitter coupled to the base, the light emitter configured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens; and the lens is in a fixed vertical position in which the first surface and the opposing second surface extend substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/732,805 filedSep. 18, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD

In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to an optic sight, such as ared dot sight. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a red dotsight with an integral lens assembly.

BACKGROUND

Conventional dot sights are formed from three separate pieces, includingtwo separate lenses and a body. The two lenses are formed, bondedtogether, and cut to shape. Then, the bonded lenses are inserted intothe body and glue or epoxy is applied to secure the bonded lenses to thebody.

This multi-step process is time consuming and it is difficult to produceefficiently because each step requires a high level of precision.Moreover, a greater number of separate pieces leads to additionalopportunities for breakage and failure of the dot sight. This isparticularly important for a dot sight attached to handguns, which putthe dot sight through more rigorous conditions compared to otherfirearms such as long rifles. For example, dot sights coupled tohandguns must endure higher recoil velocities, repetitive impacts, andincreased environmental exposure compared to dot sights attached to longrifles.

Furthermore, conventional dot sights are formed from a body that ismetal, with the metal surrounding the lens. The metal body obstructs auser's view, limiting the line of sight and the field of view of theuser.

The art recognizes the need for a durable dot sight that may be producedefficiently, and with minimal materials. The art further recognizes theneed for a dot sight that does not obstruct a user's view.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a dot sight. In oneembodiment, the disclosure provides a dot sight comprising:

(i) an integral lens assembly including a lens and a rim, the lenshaving a first surface and an opposing second surface;

(ii) a base coupled to the lens assembly, the base having a top surfaceand an opposing bottom surface;

(iii) a light emitter coupled to the base, the light emitter configuredto emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens; and the lens is in aposition in which the first surface and the opposing second surfaceextend substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the base. Inone embodiment, the lens is in a fixed, vertical position.

In another embodiment, the disclosure also provides a process forforming a dot sight. In one embodiment, the process comprises:

(i) injection molding a polymeric material to form an integral lensassembly including a lens and a rim, the lens having a first surface andan opposing second surface;

(ii) providing a base having a top surface and an opposing bottomsurface;

(iii) coupling the lens assembly to the base such that the lens is in afixed vertical position, with the first surface and the opposing secondsurface extending perpendicular to the top surface of the base; and

(iv) coupling a light emitter to the base, the light emitter configuredto emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dot sight in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an integral lens assembly inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a base in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the dot sight in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

DEFINITIONS

The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein will now be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichembodiments of the disclosure are shown. The apparatuses and methodsdisclosed herein may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will bethorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art.

In this description, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or“embodiments,” mean that the feature or features being referred to areincluded in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separatereferences to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” inthis description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and arealso not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Forexample, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment mayalso be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included.Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinationsand/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer.Alternatively, intervening elements or layers may be present. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,”“directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, and/orsections, these elements, components, regions, and/or sections shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element, component, region, or section from another element,component, region, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region,or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component,region, or section, without departing from the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90° or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

All patents, patent applications, and non-patent literature referencesare incorporated herein in their entireties.

The numerical ranges in this disclosure are approximate, and thus mayinclude values outside of the range, unless otherwise indicated.Numerical ranges include all values from and including the lower and theupper values, in increments of one unit, provided that there is aseparation of at least two units between any lower value and any highervalue. As an example, if a compositional, physical or other property,such as, for example, molecular weight, viscosity, etc., is from 100 to1,000, it is intended that all individual values, such as 100, 101, 102,etc., and sub ranges, such as 100 to 144, 155 to 170, 197 to 200, etc.,are expressly enumerated. For ranges containing values which are lessthan one or containing fractional numbers greater than one (e.g., 1.1,1.5, etc.), one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1, asappropriate. For ranges containing single digit numbers less than ten(e.g., 1 to 5), one unit is typically considered to be 0.1. These areonly examples of what is specifically intended, and all possiblecombinations of numerical values between the lowest value and thehighest value enumerated, are to be considered to be expressly stated inthis disclosure.

The term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A and/or B” herein isintended to include both A and B; A or B; A (alone); and B (alone).Likewise, the term “and/or” as used in a phrase such as “A, B, and/or C”is intended to encompass each of the following embodiments: A, B, and C;A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A(alone); B (alone); and C (alone).

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having” and their derivatives, arenot intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, stepor procedure, whether or not the same is specifically disclosed. Inorder to avoid any doubt, all compositions claimed through use of theterm “comprising” may include any additional additive, adjuvant, orcompound, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary.In contrast, the term “consisting essentially of” excludes from thescope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step, orprocedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. Theterm “consisting of” excludes any component, step, or procedure notspecifically delineated or listed. The term “or,” unless statedotherwise, refers to the listed members individually, as well as in anycombination. Use of the singular includes use of the plural and viceversa.

The term “composite” refers to a component formed from more than onedistinct piece (or part), which upon assembly are combined.

The term “integral” refers to a component formed from one, and only one,piece of rigid material, such as an inj ection-molded piece.

A “target” is a person, an animal, or a place selected as the aim of aprojectile. Non-limiting examples of suitable animal targets includegame animals such as deer, ducks, turkey, and pheasant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Dot Sight

In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a dot sight. In oneembodiment, the dot sight comprises: (i) an integral lens assemblyincluding a lens and a rim, the lens having a first surface and anopposing second surface; (ii) a base coupled to the lens assembly, thebase having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; (iii) a lightemitter coupled to the base, the light emitter configured to emit alight that forms a pattern on the lens; and the lens is in a position inwhich the first surface and the opposing second surface extendsubstantially perpendicular to the top surface of the base. In oneembodiment, the lens is in a fixed position. In another embodiment, thelens is in a vertical position. In yet another embodiment, the lens isin a fixed, vertical position.

(i) Integral Lens Assembly

The dot sight includes an integral lens assembly including a lens and arim. An “integral lens assembly” is a component formed from one, andonly one, piece of material. In other words, the lens and the rim areformed from a single piece of material. In one embodiment, the lens andthe rim are formed from a single piece of rigid material.

In an embodiment, the integral lens assembly is injection molded. Thelens and the rim are simultaneously formed in a single mold. A moltenmaterial is injected into the mold and solidified to form the integrallens assembly. A non-limiting example of a suitable material to form theintegral lens assembly is a polymeric material.

The integral lens assembly excludes composite lens assemblies in whichthe lens and the rim are formed independently as two or more distinctpieces, and then assembled to form a composite lens assembly.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dot sight 10 with an integrallens assembly 12 including a lens 14 and a rim 16.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the integral lens assembly 12showing the lens 14 and the rim 16.

A “lens” is a transparent component having two opposing surfaces,wherein at least one of the surfaces is curved to concentrate ordisperse light rays. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a lens 14 with a first surface18 and an opposing second surface 20. The first surface 18 and thesecond surface 20 each is curved to concentrate or disperse light rays.The first surface 18 and the second surface 20 may have the same or adifferent radius of curvature. In an embodiment, the first surface 18and the second surface 20 each has the same radius of curvature. Inanother embodiment, the first surface 18 and the second surface 20 eachhas a different radius of curvature.

A user may view a target through the lens 14. In other words, a userlooking through the lens 14 (through the first surface 18 and the secondsurface 20) may view a target with at least as much clarity as when theuser looks at the target without looking through the lens 14.

The lens 14 has a thickness, T_(L), that is the distance between thefirst surface 18 and the second surface 20. In an embodiment, the lens14 has a thickness, T_(L), that is from 1 millimeter (mm), or 2 mm, or 3mm, or 4 mm to 5 mm, or 10 mm, or 15 mm, or 20 mm, or 30 mm, or 40 mm.

The integral lens assembly 12 includes a rim 16. A “rim” is a componentthat surrounds, or partially surrounds, the lens.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a rim 16 having a U-shape, with the lens 14 locatedwithin the U-shape. The rim 16 having a U-shape has two opposing legs 22a, 22 b that extend beyond a bottom edge 24 of the lens 14, as shown inFIG. 2. The rim's opposing legs 22 a and 22 b are spaced apart from oneanother. In an embodiment, the space between the rim's opposing legs 22a and 22 b and the bottom edge 24 of the lens 14 is sized to receive abase 26.

The rim 16 has two opposing surfaces, including a front surface 30 and arear surface 32, as shown in FIG. 1. The rim 16 extends from the frontsurface 30 to the rear surface 32. The rim 16 extends perpendicular, orsubstantially perpendicular, to the first surface 18 and the secondsurface 20 of the lens.

The rim 16 has a thickness, T_(R), that is the shortest distance betweenthe front surface 30 and the rear surface 32. The thickness, T_(R), ofthe rim 16 is greater than the thickness, T_(L), of the lens 14. Inother words, there is a distance between the first surface 18 of thelens 14 and the front surface 30 of the rim 16 and/or there is adistance between the second surface 20 of the lens 14 and the rearsurface 32 of the rim 16.

In an embodiment, the rim 16 has a thickness, T_(R), that is from 2 mm,or 3 mm, or 4 mm, or 5 mm to 6 mm, or 10 mm, or 15 mm, or 20 mm, or 30mm, or 40 mm, or 50 mm, with the proviso that the thickness, T_(R), ofthe rim 16 is greater than the thickness, T_(L), of the lens 14.

In an embodiment, the rim 16 includes a support member 28, as shown inFIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a rim 16 with two support members 28 a, 28 b. Eachleg 22 a, 22 b includes a respective support member 28 a, 28 b. Asupport member is an extension of the rim legs 22 a, 22 b that providesstructural stability to the integral lens assembly 12. FIG. 2 showssupport members 28 a, 28 b extending perpendicular, or substantiallyperpendicular, to the second surface 20 of the lens 14.

It is understood that the lens 14 and rim 16, including the rim legs 22a, 22 b and the support members 28 a, 28 b each are part of the integrallens assembly 12 and are therefore a single component formed from thesame material.

The integral lens assembly 12 is transparent, including the lens 14 andthe rim 16. A user may view a target through the lens 14 and the rim 16.In other words, a user looking through the lens 14 (through the firstsurface 18 and the second surface 20) and/or the rim 16 (through therear surface 32 and the front surface 30) may view a target with atleast as much clarity as when the user looks at the target withoutlooking through the lens 14 and/or the rim 16.

The integral lens assembly 12 with a transparent lens 14 and transparentrim 16 advantageously does not obstruct a user's view of a target. FIG.4 shows a rear elevation view of the dot sight 10, showing that the lens14 and the rim 16 each are transparent and do not obstruct a user's viewof a target.

The integral lens assembly 12 with a lens 14 and a rim 16 that aresimultaneously formed in a single mold and do not require assemblyadvantageously (i) requires fewer materials to form; (ii) requires lesstime to form; and (iii) has less weight (i.e., is lighter), thanconventional dot sights with composite lens assemblies formed from twoor more distinct components that must be assembled together. Lighter dotsights are advantageous because a heavy dot sight can negativelyinfluence the recoil of a firearm, which is unsafe for users.

The integral lens assembly, lens, and rim may comprise two or moreembodiments disclosed herein.

(ii) Base

The dot sight includes a base. A “base” is a structure capable of beingcoupled to an article, such as a firearm.

FIGS. 1 and 3 depict a base 26. The base 26 has a top surface 34 and anopposing bottom surface 36.

The base 26 has a shape. Non-limiting examples of suitable shapesinclude cube, cuboid, triangular prism, and wedge. FIG. 3 shows a base26 having a cuboid shape.

The base 26 may be formed from the same material as the integral lensassembly 12, or a different material than the integral lens assembly 12.Non-limiting examples of materials to form the base 26 include polymericmaterials, metals, and combinations thereof

The base 26 is coupled to the integral lens assembly 12. In anembodiment, the base 26 is directly coupled to the integral lensassembly 12. Non-limiting examples of suitable coupling mechanismsinclude screws, dovetail joints, channels, epoxy, glue, and combinationsthereof. In an embodiment, the base 26 is directly coupled to theintegral lens assembly 12 with glue, epoxy, or a combination thereof. Inan embodiment, the base 26 is glued to the integral lens assembly 12.

In an embodiment, each rim leg 22 a, 22 b and/or each rim support member28 a, 28 b is directly coupled to the base 26.

In an embodiment, the base 26 is sized to be positioned between each rimleg 22 a, 22 b and/or each rim support member 28 a, 28 b, and the bottomedge 24 of the lens 14.

While FIG. 1 depicts a base 26 directly coupled to the bottom edge 24 ofthe lens 14, it is understood that rim 16 may be present between thebottom edge 24 of the lens 14 and the base 26.

In one embodiment, the base 26 coupled to the integral lens assembly 12positions the lens 14 in a fixed vertical position in which the firstsurface 18 of the lens 14 and the opposing second surface 20 of the lens14 extend perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the topsurface 34 of the base 26, as shown in FIG. 1.

A “fixed vertical position” is a static vertical spatial orientation ofthe lens surfaces with respect to the base. In other words, the positionof each lens surface 18, 20 relative to the top surface 34 of the base26 does not change. Thus, the dot sight 10 excludes lens assemblies thatare attached to a base via a hinge that enables a user to move the lensalong a hinge axis, such that the lens surfaces may be parallel, orsubstantially parallel, to the top surface of the base.

The dot sight 10 with a lens 14 that is an a fixed vertical position inwhich the first surface 18 of the lens 14 and the opposing secondsurface 20 of the lens 14 extend perpendicular, or substantiallyperpendicular, to the top surface 34 of the base 26 is more structurallysecure than a comparative dot sight 10 with hinges and rotatablecomponents. Increased structural security is particularly advantageouswhen the dot sight 10 (and, in particular, the base 26) is coupled to ahandgun, which puts the dot sight through more rigorous conditionscompared to long rifles. For example, dot sights 10 coupled to handgunsmust endure higher recoil velocities, repetitive impacts, and increasedenvironmental exposure compared to dot sights attached to long rifles.

Moreover, the dot sight 10 with a lens 14 that is an a fixed verticalposition in which the first surface 18 of the lens 14 and the opposingsecond surface 20 of the lens 14 extend perpendicular, or substantiallyperpendicular, to the top surface 34 of the base 26 advantageouslymaintains the alignment of the lens 14 with respect to the lightemitter, which increases the accuracy of targeting and sighting.

In an embodiment, the base 26 is coupled to an article. A non-limitingexample of a suitable article is a firearm. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable firearms include handguns, long rifles, shot guns, pellet guns,and BB guns.

Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed thatthe dot sight 10 having an integral lens assembly 12 requires lessmaintenance than conventional dot sights with composite lens assembliesformed from two or more distinct components because the dot sight 10 isvoid of couplings (e.g., glue) between the lens and rim that may failwith time, exposure to the elements, and/or repeated use.

The base may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

(iii) Light Emitter

The dot sight includes a light emitter. A “light emitter” is a componentconfigured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens.

FIG. 4 shows a lens 14 with a pattern 38 formed by light from the lightemitter.

When a light, such as a red light, is emitted from the light emitter, apattern 38 is displayed on the second surface 20 of the lens 14. Anon-limiting example of a suitable pattern 38 is a dot, as shown in FIG.4. A user may then align the pattern 38 (e.g., the dot) over a targetviewed through the lens 14 for accurate targeting or sighting.

Non-limiting examples of suitable light emitters include laser diodesand light emitting diodes (LEDs).

In an embodiment, the light emitter is coupled to the base. In anotherembodiment, the light emitter is coupled to the article.

The light emitter may or may not be positioned within a housing. Thehousing may be coupled to the base or the article.

The light emitter is electronically coupled to a power source, such as abattery.

In an embodiment, the light emitter is configured to emit a red lightthat forms a dot pattern on the lens.

The light emitter may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed thatthe dot sight 10 having an integral lens assembly 12 requires lessmaintenance than conventional dot sights with composite lens assembliesformed from two or more distinct components because the dot sight 10 isvoid of couplings (e.g., glue) between the lens and rim that may failwith time, exposure to the elements, and/or repeated use. Moreover, theintegral lens assembly 12 with a lens 14 and a rim 16 that aresimultaneously formed in a single mold and do not require assemblyadvantageously (i) requires fewer materials to form; (ii) requires lesstime to form; and (iii) has less weight (i.e., is lighter), thanconventional dot sights with composite lens assemblies formed from twoor more distinct components that must be assembled together.Furthermore, the integral lens assembly 12 with a transparent lens 14and transparent rim 16 advantageously does not obstruct a user's view ofa target, thereby increasing the accuracy of a user's targeting andsighting.

Thus, the dot sight 10 with an integral lens assembly 12 (i) is easierto produce; (ii) is less expensive to produce; (iii) exhibits improveddurability; (iv) requires less maintenance; (v) enables a larger andunobstructed frame of view to users; and (vi) is lighter for a user tocarry compared to conventional dot sights with composite lensassemblies.

While the disclosure is directed to a dot sight in which the integrallens assembly 12 and the base 26 are separate pieces, it is understoodthat the integral lens assembly 12 and the base 26 may also be formedfrom a single piece of material.

The dot sight may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

B. Process for Forming a Dot Sight

The disclosure also provides a process for forming a dot sight. Theprocess includes: (i) injection molding a polymeric material to form anintegral lens assembly including a lens and a rim, the lens having afirst surface and an opposing second surface; (ii) providing a basehaving a top surface and an opposing bottom surface; (iii) coupling thelens assembly to the base such that the lens is in a fixed verticalposition, with the first surface and the opposing second surfaceextending perpendicular to the top surface of the base; and (iv)coupling a light emitter to the base, the light emitter configured toemit a light that forms a pattern on the lens.

In an embodiment, the process further includes (v) coupling the base toan article.

The dot sight, integral lens assembly, base, and light emitter may beany respective dot sight, integral lens assembly, base, and lightemitter disclosed herein.

(i) Injection Molding

The process includes the step of injection molding a polymeric materialto form an integral lens assembly including a lens and a rim, the lenshaving a first surface and an opposing second surface.

The polymeric material is injected into a mold while the polymericmaterial is in a molten state. In other words, the polymeric material isheated to a temperature equal to or greater than the melting point ofthe polymeric material, and is then injected into the mold. Afterinjection, the polymeric material is cooled to room temperature (about23-25° C.), to solidify the polymeric material and form the integrallens assembly.

Non-limiting examples of suitable polymeric materials include acrylicpolymers (such as polymethlamethacrylate), butyrate polymers (such ascellulose acetate butyrate), polycarbonate, glycol modified polyethyleneterephthalate (PETG), and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the injection molding includes (i) heating thepolymeric material to a temperature equal to or greater than the meltingpoint of the polymeric material to form a molten polymeric material;(ii) injecting the molten polymeric material into a single mold; (iii)cooling the molten polymeric material to room temperature; and (iv)forming an integral lens assembly. The lens and the rim of the integrallens assembly are formed simultaneously in the single mold.

The integral lens assembly is transparent. Thus, the lens and the rim ofthe integral lens assembly are transparent. In an embodiment, theprocess includes forming a transparent integral lens assembly.

The integral lens assembly may be any integral lens assembly disclosedherein.

The injection molding step may comprise two or more embodimentsdisclosed herein.

(ii) Providing a Base

The process includes the step of providing a base having a top surfaceand an opposing bottom surface.

The base may be any base disclosed herein.

In an embodiment, the process includes providing a base having a cuboidshape.

The base is capable of being coupled to an article, such as a firearm.

The providing a base step may comprise two or more embodiments disclosedherein.

(iii) Coupling the Integral Lens Assembly to the Base

The process includes the step of coupling the lens assembly to the basesuch that the lens is in a fixed vertical position, with the firstsurface and the opposing second surface extending perpendicular to thetop surface of the base.

Non-limiting examples of suitable coupling mechanisms include screws,dovetail joints, channels, epoxy, glue, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the process includes directly coupling the integrallens assembly to the base such that the lens is in a fixed verticalposition, with the first surface and the opposing second surfaceextending perpendicular to the top surface of the base.

In an embodiment, the coupling the integral lens assembly to the baseincludes gluing the integral lens assembly to the base.

The coupling the integral lens assembly to the base step may comprisetwo or more embodiments disclosed herein.

(iv) Coupling a Light Emitter to the Base

The process includes the step of coupling a light emitter to the base,the light emitter configured to emit a light that forms a pattern on thelens.

The light emitter may be any light emitter disclosed herein.

Non-limiting examples of suitable coupling mechanisms include screws,channels, epoxy, glue, and combinations thereof

In an embodiment, the light emitter is positioned within a housing. Thehousing is coupled to the base. When the light emitter is positionedwithin a housing, it is understood that the light emitter and thehousing are configured to enable the light emitter to emit a light (suchas a red light) that forms a pattern (such as a dot) on the lens.

The coupling a light emitter to the base step may comprise two or moreembodiments disclosed herein.

(v) Coupling the Base to an Article

In an embodiment, the process includes the step of coupling the base toan article.

The article may be any article disclosed herein, such as a handgun.

In an embodiment, the process includes the step of coupling the base toa handgun.

Non-limiting examples of suitable coupling mechanisms include screws,channels, clamps, and combinations thereof.

The coupling the base to an article step may comprise two or moreembodiments disclosed herein.

Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed thatthe process disclosed herein for forming a dot sight, in which theintegral lens assembly with a lens and a rim are simultaneously formedin a single mold and do not require assembly advantageously (i) requiresfewer materials to form; (ii) requires less time to form; and (iii) hasless weight (i.e., is lighter), than conventional dot sights formedusing composite lens assemblies formed from two or more distinctcomponents that must be assembled together. Furthermore, the integrallens assembly with a transparent lens and a transparent rimadvantageously does not obstruct a user's view of a target, therebyincreasing the accuracy of a user's targeting and sighting.

The process for forming a dot sight may comprise two or more embodimentsdisclosed herein.

The disclosure also provides a dot sight formed from the processdisclosed herein. The dot sight may be any dot sight disclosed herein.

It is specifically intended that the disclosure not be limited to theembodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modifiedforms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments andcombinations of elements of different embodiments as come within thescope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dot sight comprising: (i) an integral lensassembly comprising a lens and a rim, the lens having a first surfaceand an opposing second surface; (ii) a base coupled to the lensassembly, the base having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface;(iii) a light emitter coupled to the base, the light emitter configuredto emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens; and the lens is in aposition in which the first surface and the opposing second surfaceextend substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the base. 2.The dot sight of claim 1, wherein the lens assembly is transparent. 3.The dot sight of claim 1, wherein the lens assembly is injection molded.4. The dot sight of claim 1, wherein the rim has a U-shape, and the lensis located within the U-shape.
 5. The dot sight of claim 1, wherein therim extends substantially perpendicular to the first surface and theopposing second surface of the lens.
 6. The dot sight of claim 1,wherein the lens assembly is glued to the base.
 7. The dot sight ofclaim 1, wherein the base is coupled to a handgun.
 8. The dot sight ofclaim 1, wherein a target may be viewed through the rim.
 9. The dotsight of claim 1, wherein the lens is in a fixed, vertical position. 10.A process for forming a dot sight comprising: (i) injection molding apolymeric material to form an integral lens assembly comprising a lensand a rim, the lens having a first surface and an opposing secondsurface; (ii) providing a base having a top surface and an opposingbottom surface; (iii) coupling the lens assembly to the base such thatthe lens is in a fixed vertical position, with the first surface and theopposing second surface extending perpendicular to the top surface ofthe base; and (iv) coupling a light emitter to the base, the lightemitter configured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens. 11.The process of claim 10 comprising forming a transparent lens assembly.12. The process of claim 10, wherein the coupling the lens assembly tothe base comprises gluing the lens assembly to the base.
 13. The processof claim 10 further comprising coupling the base to a handgun.
 14. A dotsight formed by the process of claim
 10. 15. A dot sight comprising: (i)an integral lens assembly comprising a lens and a rim, the lens having afirst surface and an opposing second surface; (ii) a base coupled to thelens assembly, the base having a top surface and an opposing bottomsurface; (iii) a light emitter coupled to the base, the light emitterconfigured to emit a light that forms a pattern on the lens; and thelens is in a fixed, vertical position in which the first surface and theopposing second surface extend substantially perpendicular to the topsurface of the base.
 16. The dot sight of claim 15, wherein the lensassembly is transparent.
 17. The dot sight of claim 15, wherein the lensassembly is injection molded.
 18. The dot sight of claim 15, wherein therim has a U-shape, and the lens is located within the U-shape.
 19. Thedot sight of claim 15, wherein the rim extends substantiallyperpendicular to the first surface and the opposing second surface ofthe lens.